March 1, 2014

As a follow-up to last week’s post which featured the “guerrilla artist” who calls himself “Globe-Painter,” today’s post shines a light on another street artist whose works have perhaps even more world-renown.

“Space Invader” hunt, anyone? It was a “thing” among some high school kids I knew a few years ago. Surely you’ve noticed them as you strolled through Paris? There are at least 1000 installations of these colorful, mosaic-tile works of “street art” by the mysterious urban artist known as “Invader” in Paris alone. (See them here: http://space-invaders.com/1paris.html )

Born in 1969 in France, and reputed to have a degree from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, this secretive artist has “invaded” more than 60 cities in 30 countries, including London, Miami, Los Angeles, Brussels, Geneva, Hong Kong, Toronto, Perth, Osaka, and over 30 cities in France. New York City has been “invaded” five times since 1999. Most of his works are based on characters from the vintage video game “Space Invaders,” which debuted in 1978.

On your next promenade through your favorite Paris neighborhood, challenge yourself to a Space Invader hunt of your own! Might also be an idea to try with a bored-of-all-these-museums member of your touring party, too—likely to be a hit with 8-12-year-olds. Invader’s official website is here: www.space-invaders.com